This post shows how to connect a JBL Bluetooth speaker a typical Alexa device. We demonstrate this with a JBL Flip 5 speaker and the Alexa Input device, although just about any Alexa speaker would work here as well. Since this Bluetooth connecting happens between the speaker and Alexa directly, you need not turn Bluetooth on in the mobile device you’re using to establish this link.
How to Connect JBL Bluetooth Speaker to Alexa: Detailed Steps
Begin with your Bluetooth speaker turned off. Then perform this routine to connect it to an Alexa device. We’re using an iPad Air Apple tablet to set up this linkage.
1. Find the Alexa app on your Mobile Device
We found the app on an iPadOS iPad Air as shown in the next screenshot. In our case, the Alexa app is on the third home screen page. It’s pointed at by the blue arrow.
2. Run the Alexa App
The app displays its Home screen as shown in the next screenshot.
3. Tap the More (Hamburger) Control
Find the hamburger item in the lower right corner of the screen. This is pointed at by the green arrow in the last screenshot.
This brings up the Alexa app’s main menu, as shown in the next screenshot.
4. Tap the Settings Option on the Main Menu to Continue with How to Connect JBL Bluetooth Speaker to Alexa
The Settings option is pointed at by the green arrow in the last screenshot.
This brings up the Settings screen, as shown in the next screenshot.
From here, choose which Alexa device you wish to connect to your Bluetooth speaker. The green arrow in the next picture points at our choice, the Thomas’s Echo Input Alexa device.
5. Tap the Alexa Device you Want to Connect
This takes you to the device-specific settings screen for the device you picked.
6. Tap the Bluetooth Devices Item
Find the Bluetooth Devices menu item pointed at by the green arrow in the last screenshot.
This brings up the Bluetooth Devices screen, as shown next.
At this point, you’re ready to start a Bluetooth scan by the Alexa speaker / receiver you just chose for this connection. In our demo here, our Alexa Input will be the one that scans for Bluetooth devices.
But don’t press the Pair a New Device button just yet. We must first power up our JBL Bluetooth speaker and put it into discovery mode.
7. Turn On your Speaker to Continue with How to Connect JBL Bluetooth Speaker to Alexa
Put down your mobile device for a moment, and turn on your BT speaker. In this demo, we’re pairing with a JBL Flip 5. So we turn the speaker on by quickly pressing its Power button, that we point out with the green arrow, in the next picture.
The speaker then powers up.
But since our Alexa device does not know about this speaker yet, this BT speaker will not connect with it automatically. Thus, the Bluetooth light that shows as dark after you power up this speaker. Note that your particular Bluetooth speaker may show this non paired state differently.
8. Put your Bluetooth Speaker into Pairing Mode
Now, to let Alexa find your speaker, place that Bluetooth speaker in pairing / discovery mode by pressing and releasing the Bluetooth button, as pointed at by the green arrow in the next picture.
When you press the Bluetooth Discovery Mode button, many speakers make some sort of noise to let you know that they’re ready to pair. Some also flash the Bluetooth button.
9. Now, Go Back to your Mobile Device
The screen with the blue Pair a New Device button should still be showing, as in the next screenshot.
10. Tap the Blue Pair a New Device Button to Continue with How to Connect JBL Bluetooth Speaker to Alexa
This starts your Alexa device scanning for any nearby Bluetooth speakers that are themselves in pairing mode. Since your BT speaker is now in that mode, Alexa should find it.
Then, after a short pause, you should see something like the screen we got. Shown next.
In our demo, the Alexa app found our BT speaker, named JBL Flip 5.
11. Find your Bluetooth Speaker on the Discovered Devices List
See the screenshot above.
So, we located our JBL speaker in the list, as pointed at by the green arrow in that picture.
12. Finally, Connect your Alexa with your Bluetooth Speaker
Connect to the BT speaker by tapping the listed speaker in the Bluetooth Setup screen, shown in the last screenshot above.
The Alexa smart speaker device then connects with the Bluetooth speaker (“JBL Flip 5” in this demo).
The app then takes you back to the Device Settings page for the Alexa device, as shown next.
Also, our speaker makes a Speaker Paired sound (the three ascending tones). Again though, your BT speaker may do something different to indicate that it is paired.
The speaker is now connected with Alexa.
13. Done with How to Connect JBL Bluetooth Speaker to Alexa !
We have now successfully connected our JBL BT speaker with an Alexa Echo device. So we can now ask Alexa to play music through this speaker.